TRICARE 90-Day Prescriptions: 2026 Costs & Rules | TRICARE.com

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## Quick answer Under the TRICARE pharmacy benefit managed by Express Scripts, you can receive up to a 90-day supply for most "maintenance" medications (drugs taken regularly for chronic conditions). To get a 90-day supply, you must use **TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery** or a **military pharmacy**; retail network pharmacies are generally limited to a 30-day supply.

Details

### Maintenance Drugs and the "Mail Order" Rule TRICARE requires that most brand-name maintenance medications be filled through Home Delivery or at a Military Treatment Facility (MTF). If you attempt to fill a 90-day maintenance prescription at a retail pharmacy after your second fill, you may be responsible for the full cost of the drug.

### 90-Day Supply Locations and 2026 Costs While costs vary based on beneficiary category (Group A vs. Group B), the following generally applies to the 2026 plan year:

* **Military Pharmacy:** $0 for a 90-day supply. This is the most cost-effective option, though not all medications are stocked at every base. * **TRICARE Pharmacy Home Delivery (Express Scripts):** This is the next most affordable option. For 2026, typical copays for a 90-day supply are: * **Generic:** ~$16 * **Brand-name:** ~$43 * **Non-formulary:** ~$76 * **Retail Network Pharmacy:** These pharmacies are typically restricted to a **30-day supply**. If you use a retail pharmacy for a 90-day supply of a non-maintenance drug, you will effectively pay three separate 30-day copays (e.g., $16 x 3 for generics).

### Exceptions for Active Duty Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) have $0 copays for all covered drugs filled via military pharmacies, home delivery, or retail network pharmacies. However, they are still encouraged to use 90-day options for convenience and system-wide cost savings.

### Overseas 90-Day Fills If you are living overseas, you can still use Home Delivery for a 90-day supply, but the medication must be cleared by customs in your host nation. Note that Home Delivery is not available in Germany, and retirees living overseas may face different restrictions depending on local host-nation laws.

## Who this affects * **Retirees and their family members:** Most affected by the mandatory mail-order rules for maintenance drugs. * **Active Duty Family Members (ADFM):** Eligible for 90-day supplies through home delivery or MTFs. * **Guard/Reserve members:** Those enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Retired Reserve. * **Survivors and Medal of Honor recipients:** Eligible for the standard pharmacy benefit.

## Sources * **TRICARE.mil Pharmacy Overview:** https://www.tricare.mil/pharmacy * **Express Scripts TRICARE Portal:** https://militaryrx.express-scripts.com/ * **Defense Health Agency (DHA) Pharmacy Operations:** https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Access-Cost-Quality-and-Safety/Access-to-Healthcare/Pharmacy * **TriWest Healthcare Alliance (West Region):** https://www.triwest.com/